Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

 

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Newsletter for April 2008

 

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Queries on Stewardship of Resources

Addressed to the Meeting:

  • Does our Meeting serve social and economic justice in its uses of property and money?

  • How does our Meeting engage its members in the support of the Meeting's work, its ministry, and the upkeep of its property?

  • How does our Meeting engage its members in the support of the Quarterly and Yearly Meetings and other Quaker organizations?

  • To what extent does our Meeting rely on current members for financial support, and what role does endowment income serve:

  • Does the Meeting consider carefully the appropriate role of invested funds?

Addressed to the individual:

  • Am I clear that I am the steward, not the owner of property in my care?

  • Do I simplify my needs, making choices that balance self-sufficiency (to avoid unnecessary dependence on others) and fair sharing of resources?

  • Do I make choices as a consumer that support the equitable distribution of income?

  • Do my employment and other activities allow for use of time in spiritual growth and in service to the Religious Society of Friends?

  • Do I contribute generously within my means to the funding of the work of Friends in my Meeting, in the Yearly Meeting, and in the wider world of Friends?

From Faith and Practice of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 2002, page 213 and 214

Partial Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, March 9, 2008

The Meeting opened with Lynne Piersol, Clerk, presiding.  The following Friends and attenders recorded their presence by signing in:  Lisa Heath Dainton, Christine DeGrado, Margaret Fraser, Paul Greene, Mimi Hall, Bevier Hasbrouck, Pauline Jordan, Leslie Keighton, Susan Larson, Mary Mangelsdorf, Steven Olshewsky, Mary Lou Parker, Lynne Piersol, Kathy Santiago, Nancy Saunders, Lois Sellers, Sally Shane, Johanna Sibbett, Betsy Wray, and Paul Joyce Collins Williams (20).

The Queries on Stewardship of the Environment were read, considered, and spoken to. The Meeting website has information on environmental issues, and the Meeting uses Fair Trade coffee.  Several Meeting members use their bicycles to get to Meeting.  The use of non-toxic cleaning products was mentioned.

Minutes of the previous Meeting were reviewed silently and commented on.  With clarifications concerning presentation of the State of the Meeting draft, (we did not actually approve it in February) and the return of Lyle Jenks' sojourning letter (which needed the name of the Meeting included); the Minutes from Meeting for Business on February 8, 2008, were approved.

The Clerk's note:  It was noted that our calendar makes it difficult to invite Arthur Larrabee, the General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting until fall to speak on Yearly Meeting finances. Contributions by Swarthmore Meeting members to the Yearly Meeting's Annual Fund are behind those of last year at this time.  Envelopes are available in the Meeting Office.

A final draft of the State of the Meeting Report was handed out and perused.  After brief discussion, the State of the Meeting Report for 2007 was approved and it will be forwarded to Quarterly Meeting. The Meeting minuted its special thanks to Nancy Saunders and other for their work.

Mimi Hall reported for Peace and Social Concerns: Lisa Burger Lentz will be our Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) contact.  Paul Green will convene the Discretionary Committee.  The Peace Page will be laid down for now since pat Wolff has moved to Harrisburg.  The sued clothes packing continues under the direction of Sue Larson.  A convener is needed for the Environmental Working Group, which is not currently functioning.  April 4-7 the FCNL is sponsoring a Young Friends lobbying weekend.  Financial support is available.

Lois Sellers reported for Care and Counsel: Arlene Kelly and Deb Bromley presented an overview of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Center for Deepening and Strengthening Our Meetings to a joint session of Care and Counsel and the Worship and Ministry Committees.  Margaret Fraser gave more details about the program, which has two parts.  The first part involves learning about ourselves.  It was decided that Arlene will be invited to present a "Taster" session on the program following the May potluck.  It is hoped that younger families will be able to come.  As customary, Warship and Ministry and Care and Counsel Committee will sponsor a reception for new members on Easter Sunday.

Steve Olshewsky reported on the Swarthmore Friends Nursery School.  Steve has background in tax law. The Meeting approved his offer to consult with Ed Jones for clarification regarding the incorporation of the Nursery School several years ago; figure out what needs to be done, and then, in the presence of the Nursery School directors and others, contact an appropriate State official to get the problem resolved.. It was noted the other Friends schools, likewise non-profit, are not required to pay worker's compensation and unemployment taxes.  The Meeting thanked him for his assistance.  He will report back to Meeting for Business on progress.

Mary Lou Parker reported for Personnel Committee: The Search Committee has received about twenty responses to its search for a new Meeting Secretary.  It has narrowed the field to three persons whom it will interview on Tuesday, March 11.  Bill DeGrado handed out a revised job description for the Meeting Secretary.  Friends approved the job description for the Meeting Secretary.

Christine DeGrado reported for Nomination Committee: Catherine King and Lise Reno have been reappointed to budget and Finance Committee; Pat Thomas and Mike Malone are reappointed to Worship and Ministry Committee; David Grove and Susan Larson are reappointed to Care and Counsel Committee; Mary Mangelsdorf and Mary Lou Parker are reappointed to Personnel Committee.  Phyllis Raymond is a new appointment to Jumble Sale and the Meeting approved this appointment. Mike Malone has resigned as Interim Meeting Representative and John McKinstry has resigned as Alternate Interim Representative.  Other resignations include Pat Wolff and Patty Bowring from Peace and Social Concerns Committee and Steve Olshewsky from Budget and Finance Committee. Christine spoke about our policy limiting committee members to two three-year terms.  The Nominating Committee is seeking guidance on this since on occasion it seems that a member has found the niche, which best utilizes his or her talents and wishes to remain on the committee.  The matter was discussed and the decision was made that terms could go longer than six years if one really wanted to remain on a committee and the committee asked for this exception.

Paul Joyce Collins Williams presented his proofreading awards to Lois Sellers and Mary Lou Parker.

After a few moments of silent worship, the Meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk

A Note from the Meeting Secretary

        As a young Quaker (that is, new to the Society of Friends) in Little Rock, Arkansas, our Meeting learned that Elton Trueblood would give a series of lectures at a local Christian college.  His return flight to Richmond, Indiana, would start from Little Rock Airport, so about half our Meeting gathered at the coffee shop, we arranged some tables together and, while other passengers pushing luggage around and families said their goodbyes, we talked with him. He asked us hour our Meeting "prospered?"  I found that phrase unusual until I learned, much later, that he had used language from the first set of Queries sent out by London Yearly Meeting in the 17th century. Someone asked him about his academic title, "Professor-at-Large," and he related how, when he stopped active classroom teaching, Landrum Bolding, then President of Earlham College, suggested that title. Elton liked the idea because he wanted to take his teaching off campus.  He smiled and told us, "Remember, Quakers don't retire, they become released."

        Submitted by Paul Joyce Collins Williams

Thanks to Paul

        Please join us for a celebration and thanks to Paul Joyce Collins Williams for his dedication and service to the Meeting at our extra-special April potluck. If you would like to help, please contact Lynne Piersol, Clerk.

Non-violent Responses to Terrorism: Pragmatic Resources for Today's Peace Testimony

        The Second Annual Stephen G. Cary Memorial Lecture presents: Nonviolent Responsed to Terrorism: Pragmatic Resources for Today's Peace Testimony, by George Lakey.  It will be held Saturday, April 19, 2008, 7:30 p.m. in the Barn at Pendle Hill. There will be refreshments served at 7:00 p.m. in the Barn Lobby, and the Bookstore will be open.  The Stephen G. Cary Memorial Lecture is supported by the Stephen G. Cary Memorial Fund.  The Fund was established in 2004 at Pendle Hill to make possible the publication of a book of Steve Cary's writings: The Intrepid Quaker: One Man's Quest for Peace, and to support other activities held in Steve Cary's name. Each year the Memorial Lecture at Pendle Hill will address a major peace issue facing Friends.

A New Meeting Secretary is Coming

        Mary Titus, a resident of Swarthmore since 1972, and currently the administrator of a one-person-office for a local chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness, will take up duties in the Meeting Office the week of April 13.  We are looking forward to getting to know her and she is eager to know us.  Some of you may recognize Mary since she is also on the Board of Directors for the Town Center and is involved with Friends of the Arts.  She has visited us on Sunday a few times.  Paul will overlap with her that week and be closely involved with the transition.

        Welcome, Mary!

        Submitted by Lynne Piersol

Come; See the Beauteous Birds of May!

Join with Friends and attenders, old and young, for our annual First Day School Bird Walk on Sunday, May 4, 2008.  Starting at 7:00 a.m. (plan to arrive a little early). There will be a hardy breakfast served at 8:00 a.m. All ages welcome to walk and eat.  Volunteers are needed to help with the Walk and preparing breakfast.

 

Do You Know Someone Who Could use  Help from the Visiting Committee?

        The Visiting Committee, a working group under Care and Counsel Committee, is available to assist members and attenders of Swarthmore Friends Meeting who are experiencing illness, the death of a loved one, or who may be homebound and isolated.  We can provide transportation, meals, and home visits to those who need them.  If you, or another member or attender you know could use our serves, please contact one of our Committee members:Lyn Jones, Susan Larson, Betsey Wray, Nancy Saunders, Chris DeGrado, Jackie Wilson, Elizabeth McAndrew, and Barbara Blake. Please telephone the Meeting Office, (610) 328-8699, for contact information.

        Submitted by Barbara Blake

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Annual Fund Appeal

        The Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) supports us in many ways, and offers opportunities for us to grow and learn, including the Deepening and Strengthening Program we are considering at Swarthmore. It supports individuals with scholarships and other grants, provides curriculums for First Day Schools and adults, nurtures ministries in the areas of peace, social, environmental, conflict resolution, and other concerns, and sponsors annual sessions in March and in the summer (residential). Their website is www.pym.org. The Annual Fund goal this year is $475,000 and is vital to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's budget.  The fiscal years ends June 30th. Please consider a contribution, which can be sent to PYM Annual Fund, 1515 Cheery Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.  Checks can be made out to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.  Contribution envelopes are available in the Meeting Office. Many, many thanks.

        Submitted by Lynne Piersol, Annual Fund Representative

Friends Committee on National Legislation Priorities

        The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is a Quaker lobby organization in Washington, D.C.  It has two guiding documents that are created in consultation with Quakers across the country.  One of them, the Statement of Legislative Priorities, is a narrowly written document that describes in specific terms what FCNL wants to accomplish in any given Congress.  The Statement of Legislative Priorities is revised every two years, and it will be revised at this November's Annual Meeting.  In order to begin the revision process, groups of Friends all across the country are meeting to try and discern what they think FCNL should focus on.  Swarthmore Monthly Meeting will be meeting on March 30, 2008, at 12:45 p.m. after the rise of Meeting, and the discussion will be facilitated by Mark Kharas, a member of FCNL's General Committee. Please come to that meeting to help in the discerning process. A copy of the previous statement of Legislative Policy is on the facing bench for you to read. FCNL's webpage for setting priorities is http://www.fcnl.org/priorities/.

        Submitted by Mark Kharas

Request for HELP!

        If anyone has the skills and interest in building a small puppet theater, please contact Nancy Saunders. Please telephone the Meeting Office, (610) 328-8699, for her contact information.

 

State of the Meeting Report for 2007

The Report was approved by Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business on March 9, 2008

Part One: Overview of 2007

          In 2007 Swarthmore Monthly Meeting continued the process of thoughtful transition begun several years ago, while maintaining the vitality of our community and ministry.

          This year the transition expressed itself in several ways: greater specificity in Memorial Meeting procedures and in job descriptions for paid staff, the development and implementation of both a comprehensive membership database and a revitalized Meeting website, the laying down of forum and Fellowship as separate Committees, the streamlining of the Jumble Sale, and the general strengthening of several committees.

In addition to this climate of clarification and simplification, another change is the decline in First Day School attendance for younger children (under age 8). Our community continues to grow in its ability to respond in a Spirit-led way to change and the inevitable challenges of a human group.  We continue to learn how to be with one another in Worship, and in Meeting responsibilities, as well as to enjoy each others’ company socially.

          Our ministry, as detailed below, continues to be strong and Spirit-let, both within and outside the doors of the Meetinghouse.

Part Two: Committee Activities

Budget and Finance Committee

         The Meeting finances remained sound despite several financial shocks, including decreased revenues from Jumble Sale and rentals, increased utility bills, and a serious lag in contributions through the first 10 months of the year.  When the extent of the deficit was publicized, members and attenders responded generously, so that a deficit that seemed almost insurmountable at the beginning of November was closed by the beginning of January.  However, the budget that was finally met included reduced levels of contributions to community and social action groups compared to previous years, a cutback that was agreed on at the beginning of the year in anticipation of an inability to maintain previous funding levels. We see 2009 as another challenging year and are determined to keep Meeting members better informed about financial issues, in hope that we will not end the year so perilously close to a serious budget shortfall.

Care and Counsel Committee

          Our Committee Meetings are enhanced by sharing personal happenings and, often, much laughter.  Though more that half of our members are newly appointed, they bring much to the mixture.  Care and counsel’s outreach this year included outreach to Young Adult Friends, older youth who have moved away from the Meeting, and being aware of new attenders.  The Committee sends birthday cards to members over 75-years-of-age with all our signatures on each card.  And, we presented books to High School graduates.  In September we hosted the reception for Swarthmore College students.  We have telephoned people who have been out of contact for a year. 

          We welcomed eight new members this year.  The Committee, primarily thanks to the intense work by a few members, developed an Access database of Meeting members and attenders – a huge job much needed.

          Looking forward, our goals include re-strengthening the Visiting Committee, establishing a network of contacts for those who live alone and need a helping hand.  We are trying a new outreach – the Friendly Presence will personally contact attenders who sight the Guest Book.  We will continue urging members, along with the guidance from the Memorial Committee, to file last wishes with the Meeting Office.  We plan to continue reaching out to Young Friends.

Fellowship

          Fellowship is now under the care of Worship and Ministry Committee, and continues its very welcome and generous ministry of offering beverages and goodies after Meeting for Worship.  This precious gathering time helps us build community, share news, and laugh together.  We are continuing our monthly potlucks.  One devoted family hosts weekly breakfast for college students.

First Day School Committee

          The number-one concern of the First Day School program continues to be the decline in families with children.  Our average total attendance across all ages has dropped to around ten children on a given Sunday. There are usually fewer than three children under 8 years old, so the future of the program is seriously in question.

          There is better news from the upper grades.  The third- to fifth-grade group has two new teachers, with a number of fresh and creative projects. In the current middle-school group, attendance is not steady, but when they do come, they enjoy lively, provocative discussions, games, and fellowship.  A small high school group meets about one a month, often in the childcare room.  Teens from four families are responsible for childcare during Meeting for Worship.  This is working out very well: not only does it satisfy the need for childcare, it also keeps the teens (and their families) coming to Meeting.

House and Property Committee

          This was a busy year for the House and Property Committee. A key project was designing and building the half wall in the Whittier Room, with space for the folding tables and chairs, and removing the former stage area.  New floor tiles were also installed in the kitchen and hall.  There were also repairs to the roof, and to various parts of the building, including a door to the nursery school, which was damaged during a break-in.

          Painting was done in some interior areas.  Planning is under way to improve the lighting in Whittier House.  One major change was the selection of a cleaning service (rather than hiring a custodian) for 2008.  The committee is also working on a plan for guidelines for the use of rental area.  The Committee sponsored a community work day, to address a number of maintenance projects.  Finally, the Committee would like the Meeting to know that we have been wee-supported, in many ways, by the Swarthmore College Facilities group.

Jumble Sale Committee

          2007 was a transition year for the Jumble Sale with numerous changes driven primarily by dwindling resources. We anticipated that sellable goods would be somewhat less due to the new procedure for drop-offs, and in fact they were.  The up side was that we found set-up and tear-down to be much easier, and we ended-up saving money on the leftovers, 95% of which were recycled rather than discarded.  This year’s sale generated $7,500, and the Committee was generally pleased with the results.  Dwindling resources were also reflected in the loss of Pat Wolff and Tom Korn as department managers, as well as Mary Lou Parker and Gary King as Co-Clerks.  Tom, Mary Lou, and Gary will help in some capacity, but in greatly reduced roles.

Memorial Committee

          The Memorial Committee completed a checklist to help members plan for end-of-life issues.  The Committee urged all members to familiarize themselves with this checklist and to use it.

Nursery School Committee

          The Committee supports the Nursery School as it continues to have solid enrollment and to provide wonderful care and education to all of their students, including several special-needs children who could not necessarily attend pre-school anywhere else.

          The Committee helped to facilitate connections between the Meeting and Nursery School, through, for example, joint fund-raisers with the First Day School, attendance at Meeting for Business and Clerks’ Meetings, and hosting tow potluck brunches.

          The Committee devoted much work trying to straighten out some legal and tax issues that arose form being incorporated separately from the Meeting and from hiring a new payroll service.

          The Committee continues to feel somewhat “stretched” despite joyfully welcoming a couple of new members.

Peace and Social Concerns Committee

          The Committee continued its very active ministry in many areas: participation in several Philadelphia Yearly Meeting initiatives (e.g. Middle East Working Group, Peace and Social Concerns Standing Committee, Earthcare Working Group), feeding the homeless, Tri-County Peace Week, Quaker Quick Notes, maintained the bulletin board in the Meetinghouse hallway, arranged several forums and benefits, sponsored several Minutes, contributed to local social action initiatives, as well as many other activities.

          The Committee minuted its appreciation of the service of members cycling-off the Committee and welcomed new members.

Personnel Committee

          A revitalized Personnel Committee initiated an Annual Office Assessment, encouraging the feedback from al Meeting Committees.  Based on the feedback, the job description of the Meeting Secretary will be more clearly defined.  The database and printing of a current Meeting directory were given high priority.  Upon resignation of our custodian, and in consultation with the House and Property Committee, the Meeting hired a professional cleaning service.

Worship and Ministry Committee

          Worship and Ministry continued its rich offering of adult religious education, with the discussion of several Pendle Hill pamphlets, and the presentation of several members’ spiritual journeys.  The well-attended Seekers’ Sessions and a series on the Fundamentals of Quakerism, both of which are under the care of the Committee, have much enriched our spiritual lives.  In the fall the Committee began a discussion of eldering, considering its many virtues and potential risks.  The Committee is also exploring the possibility of the Meeting participating in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Deepening and Strengthening Program.

        The State of the Meeting Report was approved by Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, March 9, 2008

 

 

Newsletter Calendar for April, 2008

Date   Event

Thursday, April 3

7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Worship and Ministry Committee in Meeting Library

 

7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Care and Counsel Committee in Meeting Office

Friday, April 4

Meeting Office closed

 

Friday, April 4, Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6 Friendly Gatherings Held in different Friends' homes, different times. See sign up sheet in Meeting Office.

Sunday, April 6 

9:30 a.m. Student Breakfast in Rushmore Room*
 

9:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Hymn singing in the Meetinghouse*

 

10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Meeting for Worship in the Meetinghouse* and First Day School in Whittier House*

 

11:15 a.m.

Fellowship in Rushmore Room

 

11:45 a.m.

Adult Religious Education in Whittier Room

Monday, April 7

7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Budget and Finance Committee in Meeting Office

Tuesday, April 8 7:15 p.m. Peace and Social Concerns Committee in Meeting Office

Friday, April 11

Meeting Office closed

 

Sunday, April 13

9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

  11:15 a.m. Fellowship in Rushmore Room

 

11:45 a.m.

Meeting for Business in Whittier Room

Tuesday, April 15 Tax Day  

Friday, April 18

Meeting Office closed

 

Saturday, April 19

9:30  a.m.

Cooking for the Homeless in kitchen

Sunday, April 20

8:45 a.m. Introduction to Quakerism in Whittier Room
 

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

 

11:15 a.m.

Potluck lunch to celebrate and thank Paul Joyce Collins Williams for his dedication and service as Meeting Secretary.

Monday, April 21

12:00 noon

Deadline for May Newsletter

Thursday, April 24

9:30 a.m.

Newsletter folding party in Whittier Room

Friday, April 25

Meeting Office closed  

Sunday, April 27

 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

 

11:15 a.m.

Fellowship in Rushmore Room and Seekers Session in Meeting Library

Each weekday the Swarthmore Nursery School has sessions, except were noted above.  At opening and closing times there is an influx of traffic around the Meetinghouse and surrounding parking lots.  The opening and closing times are:

  • Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:  8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; and 11:30  to 2:30 p.m. Nursery School and Nursery School lunch brunch

  • Thursday and Friday: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nursery School.

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Lynne Piersol, Clerk of the Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk; Michael Malone, Clerk of Worship and Ministry; Stephen Weimar, Treasurer; Paul Joyce Collins Williams, Meeting Secretary